Rescue Outfit

ABSTRACT

A rescue outfit is provided, which comprises a waterproof protecting cloth, a back frame, front and rear foldable hemispherical covers, and a fastener. The waterproof protecting cloth is for enclosing whole body of a user. A back frame is embedded in the waterproof protecting cloth. The front foldable hemispherical cover is partially connected to a front portion of the waterproof protecting cloth hermetically. The rear foldable hemispherical cover is partially connected to a rear portion of the waterproof protecting cloth hermetically. The fastener is for holding together and sealing portions of the front and rear foldable hemispherical covers. A substantial portion of the floating ball is kept above water.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a rescue outfit.

It may turn to be a life-threatening situation very quickly if a person falls unprotected into an extremely cold water. The hypothermia is going to be the first of many dangerous series of events.

The vital thing to do in such a situation is to keep the person from water as long as possible.

Accordingly, a need for an rescue outfit has been present for a long time considering the degree of severity of the possible result of such exposure to cold water. This invention is directed to solve these problems and satisfy the long-felt need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention contrives to solve the disadvantages of the prior art.

An object of the invention is to provide a rescue outfit.

An aspect of the invention provides a rescue outfit comprising a waterproof protecting cloth, a back frame, front and rear foldable hemispherical covers, and a fastener.

The waterproof protecting cloth is for enclosing whole body of a user except for a head part of the user.

A back frame is embedded in the waterproof protecting cloth for supporting a back of the user.

The front foldable hemispherical cover is partially connected to a front portion of the waterproof protecting cloth hermetically. The rear foldable hemispherical cover is partially connected to a rear portion of the waterproof protecting cloth hermetically.

The fastener is for holding together and sealing portions of the front and rear foldable hemispherical covers so as to form a water-repelling interface.

With the fastener fastened, each of the front and rear foldable hemispherical covers form a floating ball having a substantially round ball shape that is resistant against collapsing by a predetermined magnitude of external force. A substantial portion of the floating ball is kept above water.

Water is kept from the inside of the floating ball such that the user wearing the rescue outfit floats in water.

Each of the front and rear foldable hemispherical covers may comprise a plurality of frames and a waterproof protecting fabric portions disposed over the plurality of frames.

Each of the plurality of frames may be substantially semicircular, and first ends of the plurality of frames may be hinged at a first hinge and second ends of the plurality of frames are hinged at a second hinge.

Each of plurality of frames may comprise aluminum, stainless, or titanium.

The waterproof protecting fabric may comprise impermeable, light, and thermally-insulating material.

The fastener may comprise first and second fastening portions. The first fastening portion may be fixed to an edge portion of the front foldable hemispherical cover, and the second fastening portion may be fixed to an edge portion of the rear foldable hemispherical cover.

The fastener may comprise a zipper and a loop and hook fastener.

The fastener may be attached to top edge portions of the front and rear foldable hemispherical covers.

The waterproof protecting cloth may comprise impermeable, light, and thermally-insulating material.

The waterproof protecting cloth may comprise arm portions and glove portions disposed at the arm portions.

The waterproof protecting cloth may comprise leg portions.

The rescue outfit may further comprise a window disposed on the front foldable hemispherical cover such that the user observes outside through the window.

The rescue outfit may further comprise a fabric chair inside rear portion of the waterproof protecting cloth. The fabric chair may be foldable.

The waterproof protecting cloth may comprise a hood extending from neck portion of the waterproof protecting cloth for covering a head of the user.

The rescue outfit may further comprise at least one of air supply hole at top portions of the front and rear foldable hemispherical cover for passing air through but blocking water from entering.

The waterproof protecting cloth may be spacious enough that the user move around arms and legs in the waterproof protecting cloth.

The rescue outfit may further comprise a holding strap for holding the front and rear foldable hemspherical covers together.

Each of the front and rear foldable hemispherical covers may comprise a plurality of frames and a waterproof protecting fabric portions disposed over the plurality of frames, and the holding strap may be connected to one of the plenty of frames of the front foldable hemispherical cover and another one of the plenty of frames of the rear foldable hemispherical cover.

The rescue outfit may further comprise right and left connecting flaps.

The right connecting flap is for connecting right corner portions of the front and rear foldable hemispherical covers for keeping water from entering.

The left connecting flap is for connecting left corner portions of the front and rear foldable hemispherical covers for keeping water from entering.

A first fastening portion of the fastener may be attached to an edge portion of the front foldable hemispherical cover and edge portions of the right and left connecting flaps, and a second fastening portion of the fastener may be attached to an edge portion of the rear foldable hemispherical cover and edge portions of the right and left connecting flaps.

The advantages of the present invention are: (1) the rescue outfit helps the user to avoid exposure to water when stranded in river or ocean; and (2) the rescue outfit gives the user a room to move around his or her limbs in a waterproof environment.

Although the present invention is briefly summarized, the fuller understanding of the invention can be obtained by the following drawings, detailed description and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view showing a rescue outfit according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a first plan view of a rescue outfit according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view showing a rescue outfit according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a front plan view of a waterproof protecting cloth with a back frame embedded according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view along line V-V in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a side plan view showing a fastener when the floating ball opens at the top;

FIG. 7 is another side partially cross-sectional view showing a holding strap;

FIG. 8 is a front plan view showing a skeleton including a back frame, hinges, and frames;

FIG. 9 is a side plan view of the skeleton of FIG. 8; and

FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view showing a fabric chair according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view showing a rescue outfit according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG. 2 is a first plan view of a rescue outfit according to an embodiment of the invention; and FIG. 3 is a side perspective view showing a rescue outfit according to another embodiment of the invention.

An aspect of the invention provides a rescue outfit 100 comprising a waterproof protecting cloth 10, a back frame 15, front and rear foldable hemispherical covers 20, 30, and a fastener 40.

The waterproof protecting cloth 10 is for enclosing whole body of a user 90 except for a head part of the user 90.

The back frame 15 is embedded in the waterproof protecting cloth 10 for supporting a back of the user 90 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

The front foldable hemispherical cover 20 is partially connected to a front portion of the waterproof protecting cloth 10 hermetically. The rear foldable hemispherical cover 30 is partially connected to a rear portion of the waterproof protecting cloth 10 hermetically.

The fastener 40 is for holding together and sealing portions of the front and rear foldable hemispherical covers 20, 30 so as to form a water-repelling interface.

With the fastener 40 fastened, each of the front and rear foldable hemispherical covers 20, 30 form a floating ball having a substantially round ball shape that is resistant against collapsing by a predetermined magnitude of external force. A substantial portion of the floating ball is kept above water.

Water is kept from the inside of the floating ball such that the user 90 wearing the rescue outfit 100 floats in water.

Each of the front and rear foldable hemispherical covers 20, 30 may comprise a plurality of frames 22, 32 and waterproof protecting fabric portions 24, 34 disposed over the plurality of frames 22, 32.

Each of the plurality of frames 22, 32 may be substantially semicircular, and first ends of the plurality of frames 22, 32 may be hinged at a first hinge 26 and second ends of the plurality of frames are hinged at a second hinge 36.

Each of plurality of frames 22, 32 may comprise aluminum, stainless, or titanium.

The waterproof protecting fabric 24, 34 may comprise impermeable, light, and thermally-insulating material.

The fastener 40 may comprise first and second fastening portions 42, 44. The first fastening portion 42 may be fixed to an edge portion of the front foldable hemispherical cover 20, and the second fastening portion 44 may be fixed to an edge portion of the rear foldable hemispherical cover 30.

The fastener 40 may comprise a zipper and a loop and hook fastener.

The fastener 40 may be attached to top edge portions of the front and rear foldable hemispherical covers 20, 30.

The waterproof protecting cloth 10 may comprise impermeable, light, and thermally-insulating material.

The waterproof protecting cloth 10 may comprise arm portions and glove portions disposed at the arm portions.

The waterproof protecting cloth 10 may comprise leg portions.

The rescue outfit 100 may further comprise a window 50 disposed on the front foldable hemispherical cover 20 such that the user 90 observes outside through the window.

The rescue outfit 100 may further comprise a fabric chair 60 inside rear portion of the waterproof protecting cloth 10. The fabric chair 60 may be foldable. An outermost edge of the fabric chair 60 may be connected to a portion of the cloth 10 in an upper position, such that the bottom of the user can be snugged in and sit in it as shown in FIG. 10.

The waterproof protecting cloth 10 may comprise a hood 70 extending from neck portion of the waterproof protecting cloth 10 for covering a head of the user 90.

The rescue outfit 100 may further comprise at least one of air supply hole 80 at top portions of the front or rear foldable hemispherical covers 20, 30 for passing air through but blocking water from entering.

The waterproof protecting cloth 10 may be spacious enough that the user 90 moves around arms and legs in the waterproof protecting cloth 10.

The rescue outfit may further comprise a holding strap 110 for holding the front and rear foldable hemspherical covers 20, 30 together as shown in FIG. 7.

Each of the front and rear foldable hemispherical covers 20, 30 may comprise a plurality of frames 22, 32 and a waterproof protecting fabric portion 24, 34 disposed over the plurality of frames 22, 32, and the holding strap 110 may be connected to one of the plenty of frames 22 of the front foldable hemispherical cover 20 and another one of the plenty of frames 32 of the rear foldable hemispherical cover 30.

The rescue outfit 100 may further comprise right and left connecting flaps 120 as shown in FIG. 6.

As shown in FIG. 6, the right connecting flap 120 is for connecting right corner portions of the front and rear foldable hemispherical covers 20, 30 for keeping water from entering.

Likewise, the left connecting flap 120 is for connecting left corner portions of the front and rear foldable hemispherical covers 20, 30 for keeping water from entering.

As shown in FIG. 6, a first fastening portion 42 of the fastener 40 may be attached to an edge portion of the front foldable hemispherical cover 20 and edge portions of the right and left connecting flaps 120, and a second fastening portion 44 of the fastener 40 may be attached to an edge portion of the rear foldable hemispherical cover 30 and edge portions of the right and left connecting flaps 120.

In certain embodiments as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the frame 15 may comprise a top part 16 and a bottom part 17 as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. The top part 16 is for supporting shoulders of the user 90, and the bottom part 17 is for supporting back and waist of the user 90.

Also, the frame 15 may be connected to the first and second hinge 26, 36.

In certain embodiments, the rescue outfit 100 may further comprise a hat 130 extending from the back frame 15 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 8. The hat 130 may help the user 90 to put on the rescue outfit 100.

In certain embodiments, the window 50 may take up two whole sections over three frames 22.

In certain embodiments, the frame 15 may be monolith and solid covering the entire back of the user 90. And, the shape of connecting portion between the back frame 15 and the hinges 26, 36 may be adapted to contour of the body of the user 90 as shown in FIG. 9.

While the invention has been shown and described with reference to different embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations in form, detail, compositions and operation may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims. 

1. A rescue outfit comprising: a waterproof protecting cloth for enclosing whole body of a user except for a head part of the user; a back frame embedded in the waterproof protecting cloth for supporting a back of the user; a front foldable hemispherical cover partially connected to a front portion of the waterproof protecting cloth hermetically; a rear foldable hemispherical cover partially connected to a rear portion of the waterproof protecting cloth hermetically; and a fastener for holding together and sealing portions of the front and rear foldable hemispherical covers so as to form a water-repelling interface, wherein with the fastener fastened each of the front and rear foldable hemispherical covers form a floating ball having a substantially round ball shape that is resistant against collapsing by a predetermined magnitude of external force, wherein water is kept from the inside of the floating ball such that the user wearing the rescue outfit floats in water, and wherein a substantial portion of the floating ball is kept above water.
 2. The rescue outfit of claim 1, wherein each of the front and rear foldable hemispherical covers comprises a plurality of frames and a waterproof protecting fabric portions disposed over the plurality of frames.
 3. The rescue outfit of claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of frames is substantially semicircular, and wherein first ends of the plurality of frames are hinged at a first hinge and second ends of the plurality of frames are hinged at a second hinge.
 4. The rescue outfit of claim 2, wherein each of plurality of frames comprises aluminum, stainless, or titanium.
 5. The rescue outfit of claim 2, wherein the waterproof protecting fabric comprises impermeable, light, and thermally-insulating material.
 6. The rescue outfit of claim 1, wherein the fastener comprises: a first fastening portion fixed to an edge portion of the front foldable hemispherical cover; and a second fastening portion fixed to an edge portion of the rear foldable hemispherical cover.
 7. The rescue outfit of claim 6, wherein the fastener comprises a zipper and a loop and hook fastener.
 8. The rescue outfit of claim 6, wherein the fastener is attached to top edge portions of the front and rear foldable hemispherical covers.
 9. The rescue outfit of claim 1, wherein the waterproof protecting cloth comprises impermeable, light, and thermally-insulating material.
 10. The rescue outfit of claim 9, wherein the waterproof protecting cloth comprises arm portions and glove portions disposed at the arm portions.
 11. The rescue outfit of claim 9, wherein the waterproof protecting cloth comprises leg portions.
 12. The rescue outfit of claim 1, further comprising a window disposed on the front foldable hemispherical cover such that the user observes outside through the window.
 13. The rescue outfit of claim 1, further comprising a fabric chair inside rear portion of the waterproof protecting cloth, wherein the fabric chair is foldable.
 14. The rescue outfit of claim 1, wherein the waterproof protecting cloth comprises a hood extending from neck portion of the waterproof protecting cloth for covering a head of the user.
 15. The rescue outfit of claim 1, further comprising at least one of air supply hole at top portions of the front and rear foldable hemispherical cover for passing air through but blocking water from entering.
 16. The rescue outfit of claim 1, wherein the waterproof protecting cloth is spacious enough that the user move around arms and legs in the waterproof protecting cloth.
 17. The rescue outfit of claim 1, further comprising a holding strap for holding the front and rear foldable hemspherical covers together.
 18. The rescue outfit of claim 17, wherein each of the front and rear foldable hemispherical covers comprises a plurality of frames and a waterproof protecting fabric portions disposed over the plurality of frames, and wherein the holding strap is connected to one of the plenty of frames of the front foldable hemispherical cover and another one of the plenty of frames of the rear foldable hemispherical cover.
 19. The rescue outfit of claim 1, further comprising: a right connecting flap for connecting right corner portions of the front and rear foldable hemispherical covers for keeping water from entering; and a left connecting flap for connecting left corner portions of the front and rear foldable hemispherical covers for keeping water from entering, wherein a first fastening portion of the fastener is attached to an edge portion of the front foldable hemispherical cover and edge portions of the right and left connecting flaps, and wherein a second fastening portion of the fastener is attached to an edge portion of the rear foldable hemispherical cover and edge portions of the right and left connecting flaps. 